An open letter to FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

Dear Mr Blatter

Today’s seeded draw for the World Cup play-offs has been on our minds a lot recently – ever since we alerted the Irish public on September 25 to aninexplicable change in FIFAprocedures for the draw, in fact.

In the interests of fair play and sporting values, we’d like FIFA to ponder five points.

No 1: Seeding was right and proper for the European Zone qualifying groups, whichinvolved nine leaguecompetitions. But the play-offs are knockout, and seeding should have no place in that format.

No 2: Portugal, Greece and France were top seeds in their groups but failed to live up to that billing. So why should they, and Russia, be protected intoday’s draw?

No 3: The Republic ofIreland started Group 8 as third seeds, just like Ukraine in Group 6. Bosnia-Herzegovina were ranked fourth in Group 5 and Slovenia were seeded fifth in Group 3. All four out-performed higher-rated teams to finish second and reach the play-offs. So why are they not granted an open draw today?

No 4: Football should be about merit, not privilege. All eight teams in today’s draw share equal status as grouprunners-up. Why not treat them as such?

No 5: It’s possible, of course, that the draw will actually work in favour of the un-seeded teams, who have motivation and momentum on their side. But for the credibility and integrity of the World Cup, an open draw should be the norm. After all, it’s only 15 months since you told us thatFIFA “is committed to solidarity and universality” and that it “promotes football worldwide while governing and protecting it for the benefit of everyoneinvolved”.

Really? Everyone?

See you in South Africa.

Yours in sport

Irish and Angry